.

I can't complain, it's been warm(ish) and no snow so far.  We have been able to play outside, thank goodness for these wiggly kids!  We have been busy this week, but found time to paint Eleanor's nails for the first time (see below pic)

thanks.giving.

We had a fabulous combined Thanksgiving with friends at our church building.  Lots of food, while not having to make it all yourself = heaven! :)  Thanks for a fun time everyone.  I have much to be thankful for!

Eleanor was running all over the place and I didn't get a picture of her, so here she is making her "silly face".  Love that goober!

"discoveries"

I'm not a big talker most of the time, but I think about lots of things in my head all the time.  I recently decided it would be good for me to write some of these things down as a way to express myself since I'm not great at saying what I think and feel.  So be prepared to get more of a glimpse into my wacky mind. :)

1.  I get anxious when I don't feel prepared.  For those of you that know us, our apartment is filled with an assortment of "stuff".  I make myself feel better about it by saying, "it's not just junk, it's actually good things like a giant bottle of Resolve refill stain remover, food storage, a big Costco pack of tp, 20 sticks of deodorant, 3 big scrapbook packs of paper, 10 winter beanies apiece...mostly all things we would use eventually.  We will be moving in 5 months.  So to avoid moving with the most massive moving truck available, we have tried to de-junk, eat down our food storage, and also to stop buying in bulk for now.  I had to buy a normal sized bottle of dish soap the other day (as opposed to a giant Costco sized one) and today I noticed we have used about 1/4 of it.  I felt a little panic inside, knowing I didn't have any more in the cabinet, and immediately thought, "i'll go to the store today and pick up another 2 or 3 just in case we run out".  It's important to be prepared, but I need to keep with my resolve to only buy things on an as needed basis for the next few months.  Better squash any hoarding tendencies now too, because we all know how those go thanks to Hoarders.

2.  Silver lining?  As I was sweeping up teeny tiny bits of newspaper that were cut up by one such 3 year old, I thought to myself that maybe there is a reason children are so messy.  Mothers are all so busy raising their children that housework takes second stage often. (def mine does!)  When an unplanned mess comes up, that's usually what get first priority.  Perhaps it would be a long time before that chore got any attention otherwise.  For example:  changing those just-wet-the-bed-in-sheets.  mopping that just-spilled-juice-all-over-floor.  scrubbing that just-pooped-in-bath-tub.  Who knows when I would have gotten around to sweeping the floor next if it wasn't for those minuscule bits of newspaper, graciously gifted by my 3 year old.

missing the mister

Nick's away this week M-F for school.  I've had plenty of time after the girls to browse blogs and was inspired to compile 10 of the many reasons why I miss my man when he is gone!  hence the increase in blogging this week!

1. sometimes he lets me sleep in a little, even on the weekdays!
2. i miss snuggling on the couch together.
3. i subject my remaining family to sad, one-course meals for dinner.  that is if i even cook!  
4. somehow i seem to snack WAY more during the day.  perhaps it's knowing that i don't have an awesome meal planned for dinner {see above}
5. listening to pearl jam makes me miss him even more.
6. i have put on makeup once the entire week.  When Nick is away i think of the song by my all-time fav, weezer.  it's talking about how he is over with his current gf, he want a girl who "laughs for no one else" and when he's away "she puts her makeup on the shelf."  this might seem silly, but it epitomizes me perfectly; when Nick is gone i don't really have a reason to look good since he is gone, and my makeup remains just there, on the shelf. :)                                      {disclaimer:  this doesn't mean i feel like i HAVE to wear makeup for Nick, I am perfectly content to lounge in sweats, unshowered and no makeup when he is home too, but a girl likes to look good for her man sometimes too, as she should :)  }
7. the girls miss their daddy and his scratchy cheeks smothering them with kisses!
8. our apartment is too clean without him.  there.  i said it!
9. talking on the phone is just not the same.
10. i miss his handsome mug.

Hurry home, honey!  this wifey misses you!!

Thought for the day...

Today I'm grateful for...

A friend Nicki mentioned on another blog that people who write down their blessings are happier people.  And who doesn't want to be happier?!  Here goes:

10 things I am grateful for today:

1. Stamps that you don't have to lick!  Those were the worst, especially when you had lots to do.  
2. A warm house.  brrr it's finally getting cold outside.  (it's about time after 62 degrees on December 3rd!)
3. That my girls love to play together.  They must have spent at least 2 solid hours in their room together today.  It was wonderful. 
4. That my husband appreciates everything I do for him.  
5. Great lotion.  I'm sure I'm not the only one that needs a great hand cream overnight in the winter!
6. Being outside. 
7. That my family is up for trying new things!  I love to do something or go somewhere we have never been before. 
8. Milk chocolate!!
9. You Tube videos that make me laugh. 
10. The Gospel Library app for android. 

It's that time of year!

Some of our family pictures!

Cousin picture!

Oh dear...

If Elle grows up and has an identity crisis one day, I will know why.  She and Camille play together every day, and every day Cam has a new name for her.  Lots of times it's Sadie, Taylor, something weird she makes up... Today is Eli.  She said, "come here, Eli" and Eleanor came running.  :)

Parades and such

We have been having fun at the children's museum lately, here are a few more pics

The girls enjoy wearing these costume glasses we have.

 Ok seriously this is the most awesome, best thought-out cart ever!!  The kids sit right in front of you but get to face out with little steering wheels.  The cart sticks out in front just like a normal cart, but there are two layers to make up for lost space.  It's super easy to maneuver throughout the store, but still fun for the kiddos.  I wish every store had these, this shopping trip was a breeze!

Playing at the mall

 Last week Camille made little beds for each of them in laundry baskets.  They had a wonderful time playing in their room, I love it when they do that!  Glad these girls are such great friends *most* of the time! 

Still loves to hold her little sister

Eleanor's first time playing playdoh.  Seriously tempting to eat it, she would try to sneak some in every few minutes, gotta watch that girl!

Milwaukee's holiday parade.  Seriously so fun, such a great parade!  My friend Christin sat next to Camille and said "Camille is the most pleasant person to sit by".  Apparently she "loved" everything, "Oh I just love those little cars....I LOVE snowflakes....oh I love puppy dogs....I love candy" 

We bundled up but it was warm enough (as you can see by Dallen's shorts!) and we couldn't have asked for better weather

Loved these tiny love bugs, they were so fun to watch zip around inbetween each other!

A person in a bunny costume came by and all of the kids swarmed him for a hug. It was hilarious, they guy couldn't move for 5 min at least.  Camille is tucked in there in the rose-colored jacket in the back. 

Nachooooooooooo

We thoroughly enjoyed our last Fall in Wisconsin.  Let's be honest, it's our family's favorite time of year here. We started out our festivities at the mall.  The stores had trick or treating, there was a "pumpkin patch" to pick pumpkins, and hay rides around the square.

Here's Olivia the pig, ready for some action.  She sure loved her costume, this continues to be one of her favorite books. 

Eleanor graced several different costumes this year, depending on the occasion.  This night was a cold one, so we went with a warm lion costume!

 We hit up the medical college's trick or treat extravaganza.  Every year I am amazed how they go alllll out for it, we come home with loads of candy and exhausted from covering 4 floors covered in spooky decorations.  Eleanor was a ladybug this time.

Then for our ward party it was Nacho Libre.  Oh Elle, you couldn't have played the part better if you had rehearsed.  It was everything we had hoped it would be and I couldn't get enough of you. 

I dressed up as a witch, a little less scary than the mime makeup I tried out last year. :)

We enjoyed a fun family night with some friends.  Had a chili/soup cookoff (yum!) along with pumpkin bowling and doughnut on a string eating. :)

I will miss the falls here.  Sigh.